Jhunda (its significance)

The topic of the Jhunda (flag) has raised a lot of heated debates over the years and in this very humble rendition (by the mercy of our Divine Mother Sarasvati) we hope to shed light on its significance and importance.

We should be proud of our Jhunda and shouldn’t think its old fashioned and so forth… I know of other religious groups who degrade us Hindu’s by saying “Oh why do you have this flag“ etc and Hindus don’t know how to counteract them. So now we are giving you knowledge to fight for your religion… stand up and be counted. As Lord Krsna says in the Bhagavad Gita 2.3 “O Arjuna, do not yield to this degrading impotence. It does not become you. Give up such petty weakness of the heart and arise.”

If you ever noticed which Deity is the most worshiped amongst Hindu’s. Many would say Mother Durga, or Lord Krsna or Lord Shiva or Lord Ganesh but no, the most worshipped Hindu Deity is Shree Hanumanji… and that’s why around the world wherever there are Hindu’s, to show their love and devotion to Shree Hanumanji they hoist a Lal (red) Jhunda (Flag). Now in India many people hoist their Jhunda at a local temple and in South Africa, Mauritius, and Singapore and so forth at their homes.

Unfortunately as time went by many new different theories cropped up and thus Hindu’s are really in a mess today due to all the confusion. And then the “vultures” from other religious beliefs wait to pounce on the “poor” and “ignorant” Hindu’s. This article is meant to clarify those doubts and bring awareness about these prayers (pujas).

The principal element in the Jhunda prayers is the hoisting of a red flag in glorification of Sanathan Dharma and Shree Hanumanji, a perfectly surrendered devotee of Shree Raam.

The Jhunda ceremony is performed by many of Shree Hanumanji’s devotee’s, in their glorification of Sanathan Dharma and of the greatest devotee of Shree Raam. In hoisting the flag of Sanathan dharma and of Shree Hanumanji one indicates to the public and the world their willingness to follow in the footsteps of this great, magnificent and spotless devotee of the Lord and by the rules and ethics of Sanathan Dharma. Shree Hanumanji is therefore accepted as the spiritual guide and mentor and the devotee thereafter follows the direct principles of devotional service to Shree Raam. When one erects a Jhunda one is symbolizing that one has conquered the elements around oneself and its also signifies VICTORY and another reason is to signify one is a Hindu and when one comes to a Hindu home one is welcomed regardless of colour, creed and race because our beautiful Hindu culture states “athiti devo bhavah” that even if an enemy come to one’s home one have to welcome them in. Hindus are very peace loving and accommodating people.

Now many years back when our ancestors came to these shores of South Africa they always hoisted one red Jhunda but now we find up to eleven Jhunda’s. Now where these people are getting their advice? What do a person think the more Jhunda’s I hoist the more Shree Hanumanji will love me? NO. This is fabrication. One Jhunda is more than sufficient. Please understand we should be like the great devotee himself and Shree Hanumanji did things with no expectation of reward as Lord Krsna advises in the Bhagavad Gita.

Now whenever humans go to a new place they must erect a flag (Jhunda) to say that their country has been there first and have “conquered” that place/area…

When Shree Hanumanji went to the Himalayas to get the Sanjivani plant (the life giving plant) for Shree Lakshmanji, Shree Hanumanji erected a flag on the mountain as an emissary/ambassador of Shree Raam and of Sanathan Dharma.

In the same way when the “modern” human Edmund Hillary first went to Mount Everest he and Sherpa Tensing (his guide) erected a flag, when the Americans went to the “so-called” Moon mission in 1969 Neil Armstrong erected a flag to signify that they conquered the Moon… When humans “first” went to the South Pole and North Pole they erected a flag. Every country has a flag to denote their country’s heritage. Certain mornings in schools and government places and so forth the flag of the country is hoisted. When a hero or president of a country dies the flag is flown at half-mast… You can see the flag is used by so many in different ways…so you see this is not something new…

In the Vishnu Sahasranama (Lord Vishnu’s Thousand Names) the 354th name for Lord Vishnu is Garuda Dwaja “Lord Vishnu who has Garuda (eagle) on His (Dwaja) flag”.

Shree Hanumanji was the commander of Shree Raam’s Army… and when the army moved they hoisted the Red flag. Now many flags do have an image of Shree Hanumanji. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad Gita 1.20 (see below). Some say it’s a flag of Shree Hanumanji and some say of Sanathan dharma. But whatever it is it’s signifies Shree Hanumanji. One of the reasons (and this is a personal view) many worship Shree Hanumanji on a Tuesday. Tuesday is a day of Lord Mangal/ Kuja / Angaarkaaya or i.o.w’s the planet Mars. And Mars color is Red…. Also the pastime where Shree Hanumanji applied Sindhur (Vermilion-red powder) on his body because Mother Sita told that Shree Raam loved Her using Sindhur and it was dear to Shree Raam… This is why on the Jhunda we apply Sindhur when we performing the Jhunda puja. Shree Hanumanji is the only Male deity that we offer Sindhur to. If one has a malefic Mars in one’s Janma Kundali (Birth Chart) then one should offer Sindhur to Shree Hanumanji on Tuesdays. This is one of the remedies.

The bamboo also represents Shree Hanumanji. He is the bearer of the flag. For example in the front of a battlefield you have a person whose job is to hold the flag and walks with it displaying the flag high. So in the same way Shree Hanumanji is the bearer of Sanathan Dharma and who better than Shree Hanumanji. He is the ideal devotee and a model citizen to mankind.

In the Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagavat Gita and the Ramayana all mentions the Jhunda… below is a pastime between Shree Hanumanji and his younger brother Bhima from the Mahabharata.

Anxious to please his beloved Draupadi, Bhima went in quest of that plant. He went alone in the direction from which the fragrance seemed to be borne by the breeze, without wasting a thought on the wild beasts that crossed his path. He came to a garden of plantain trees at the foot of a mountain, and there he saw a huge monkey shining like blazing fire, which lay right across his path blocking it. He tried to frighten the animal out of his way by shouting at it. It only half opened its eyes lazily and drawled: "I am indisposed and so I am lying here. Why did you wake me? You are a wise human being and I am mere animal. It is proper that the rational man should show mercy to animals as inferior creatures. I am afraid you are ignorant of right and wrong. Who are you? It is not possible to go further along this mountain path, which is the path of the devas. Men cannot cross this limit. Eat what you like of the fruits of this place and if you are wise, go back in peace." Bhima, unused to being taken so lightly, grew angry and shouted: "Who are you, you monkey, that indulges in such tall talk? I am a Kshatriya hero, a descendant of the Kuru race and a son of Kunti. Know that I am the son of the Wind god. Now move away from the path or stop me at your peril."

Hearing these words the monkey merely smiled and said: "I am, as you say, a monkey, but you will come to destruction if you try to force a way." Bhima said: "I do not want your advice and it is no concern of yours if I go to destruction. Get up and move out of the way or I will make you." The monkey replied: "I have no strength to stand up, being but a very old monkey. If you have to go at any cost, jump over me." Bhima said: "Nothing could be easier but scriptures forbid it. Otherwise I should jump over you and the mountain in one bound, like Hanuman crossing the ocean." The monkey remarked as though in surprise: "O best of men, who is that Hanuman who crossed the ocean? If you know his story, enlighten me." Bhima roared and said: "Have you not heard of Hanuman, my elder brother, who crossed the ocean, a hundred yojanas in breadth, to seek and find Sita, the wife of Rama? I am equal to him in strength and heroism. Well, that is enough talk, now get up and make way and do not provoke me to do you some harm."

The monkey answered: "O mighty hero, be patient. Be gentle as you are strong, and have mercy on the old and weak. I have no strength to rise up, as I am old with age. Since you have scruples in jumping over me, kindly move aside my tail and make a path for yourself." Proud of his immense strength, Bhima thought to pull the monkey out of the way by its tail. But, to his amazement he could not move it in the least, though he exerted all his strength. He set his jaws and strained every muscle till the very sinews cracked and he was covered with perspiration. But, still, could not move that tail the least, a little bit up or down or sideways. In shame, he bent down his head, and then asked in a chastened mood:

"Who are you? Forgive me and reveal to me whether you are a Siddha, deva or Gandharva." Bhima like most strong men was all respect when he saw one stronger than himself, and spoke like a pupil addressing his master. Shree Hanumanji replied: "O mighty-armed Pandava, know that I am your brother, Hanuman, the son of the Wind god, whom you mentioned a little while ago. If you go on this path, which is the road to the spirit-world where the Yakshas and the Rakshasas abide, you will meet with danger and that is why I tried stopping you. No man can go beyond this and live. But here is the stream with its depths where you can find the Saugandhika plant you came to seek." Bhima was transported with delight: "I count myself the most fortunate of men in that I have been blessed to meet my brother. I wish to see the form in which you crossed the ocean," and he prostrated before Shree Hanumanji. Shree Hanumanji smiled and began to increase the size of his body and stood forth firmly to the world like a mountain seeming to fill the landscape.

Bhima was thrilled at actually seeing that divine form of his elder brother, the mere description of which had till then filled him with wonder. He covered his eyes, unable to bear the dazzling light radiating from that figure. Hanuman said: "Bhima, in the presence of my enemies, my body can grow still more." And Hanuman contracted his body, resuming his former size. He tenderly embraced Bhimasena. Srila Vyasadeva says that Bhima felt completely refreshed and became much stronger than before by the embrace of Hanuman. Hanuman said: "O hero, go to your abode. Think of me whenever you are in need. I felt the same delight when I embraced you that I had in times of yore when I was fortunate enough to touch the divine body of Shree Raam. Ask any boon that you like." Bhima said: "Blessed are the Pandavas for I have had the good fortune to see you. Inspired with your strength we are sure to conquer our enemies." Hanuman gave this parting blessing to his brother: "While you roar like a lion in the battlefield, my voice shall join yours and strike terror into the hearts of your enemies. I shall be present on the flag of the chariot of your brother Arjuna. You will be victorious." Hanuman pointed out to Bhima the stream nearby, where grew the Saugandhika flowers he had come to seek. This put Bhima at once in mind of Draupadi who was waiting for his return, and he collected the flowers and returned to her without delay.

In Bhagavat Gita Chapter 1 verse 20 “At that time Shree Arjun, seated in the chariot bearing the flag marked with Shree Hanumanji, took up his bow and prepared to shoot his arrows.” The flag hoisted on Arjuna’s chariot, which was driven by Lord Krsna, carried the flag of Shree Hanumanji. The emblem of Shree Hanumanji on this flag indicated natural victory and auspiciousness. This was a positive display of imminent victory.

In the ISKCON (Hare Krishna Movement) Bhagavat Gita on the front cover on Arjun’s chariot is a Hanumanji’s flag. In the Ratha Yatra on all three chariots has Shree Hanumanji’s flag on the top of the chariot… Wherever there’s Shri Hanumanji there’s always victory… J

In Shree Hanumanji’s Chalisa this is stated “Hatha Vajra Aura Dhuvaja Viraje, Kandhe moonja janehu sajai” “You carry in your hand a lightening bolt along with a victory (Kesari) flag and wear the sacred thread on your shoulder”.

Now over the year’s many misconceptions have taken place. Besides hoisting one Red flag now there are more than one red flag and then there is a yellow flag, which supposed to be for Lord Shiva. We must understand that we must perform pujas according to scriptures. And there is no proof of the yellow flag for Lord Shiva. Why people erect it is due to mindless traditions, which are based on fear… What must be done is next to the Red Jhunda we must have a Shiva Linga and that we must worship. Now in recent years I have seen a green Jhunda for Lord Vishnu, a flag for Lord Muruga and even a Devi Jhunda. What’s next I wonder and its no wonder my follow Hindus are so confused. So many people do ask the Question what will happen if you stop hoisting the Yellow Flag for Lord Shiva (whose colour b.t.w is Red and not yellow.). Well nothing bad will happen if that what you are thinking because we are supposed to be offering puja to the Shiva Linga…

We as Hindu’s (please understand most Hindu do this and not all) always complain that’s “the Puja cost so much” (yip putting up a 3 pole marquee and cooking for like hundreds of people yes this is going to cost a lot) “and its not worth it etc”… “Nope Hinduism just don’t work for me anymore”… well firstly why did you invite so many people… and to make it worse then the guests complain amongst themselves (hot gossip) “Oh the sinkers (the potatoes) was not cooked properly”… and then the crowd is having their own garam (hot/spicy) katha…

To avoid all these things from happening, my humble advice is rather simple. Perform the puja inside your house and then it’s just the family and the Punditji. Cook just enough for the ones at the puja and then ask a family member to cook a huge pot of food like Briyani and dhal or beans and rice and then after the prayer feed the poor. Now doesn’t this sound a whole lot better than the wife or husband worried if the guests are being fed and comfortable rather than concentrating on the Puja itself… by not inviting people which is the general custom yes this will upset people but hey we are living in 2008 and not 1950. Times have changed. And if, as Hindus we are not going to change then were are going to only see a Hindu in the very near future in a museum… Scary thought aren’t it… Well this is reality not fantasy any more.

QUESTION: - Can a female perform the Jhunda puja and can she hoist the Jhunda as well?

ANSWER: - Why not Shri Hanumanji being a pure devotee of the Lord and he is above identifying with the self. He does not discriminate between male and female. He sees everyone with equal vision. Yes on a material platform male and female can never be equal and the same time I must reiterate that neither is higher than the other. Can a male have a child? Of course not. That’s going against the laws of nature. So how can males and females be equal? Males and females have special roles to play in society. BUT on a spiritual front the soul is neither male nor female it’s NEUTER. That’s means it neither male nor female and this is what Shree Hanumanji sees. He sees spirit soul. He is the TRUE and ONLY pundit in this world, as Lord Krsna says in the Bhagavad Gita 5.18: - “The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste]”. This is a true Pundit and this is Shree Hanumanji himself…

When I perform pujas women always ask me why they are always put down when it comes to Shree Hanumanji’s puja. I find that rather annoying when men and in general older folks behave like this because who is cooking the food and making the preparations like Rhot, etc… A female has much right as a male to perform pujas to Shree Hanumanji. Yes I know this will create a raucous amongst the Hindu community about what I have just said but people need to wake up. Hinduism is above fanaticism. We are a practical and beautiful culture and that’s why we survived for thousands of years.

QUESTION: - Is women allowed to hold the Jhunda pole and can she perform the puja with her husband?

ANSWER: - Yes absolutely. Why not? Remember prayers should be performed as a family. “A family that prays together stays together”. We should not be encouraging segregation rather congregation. The previous question answers this question as well.

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